Flex It! A First Look at the Aurora Vintage-Style Flex Nib

March 11, 2017

While many pen companies have attempted to replicate vintage-style flexible nibs, from the inexpensive steel-nib pens sold by Noodler's to the more expensive offerings from the new Wahl-Eversharp, no one has been able to get it exactly right. Until (maybe) now. Aurora's new 70th Anniversary 88 sports a specially developed 14k flexible nib which comes as close to reproducing true "vintage-style flex" as I've experienced in a modern pen. While flex nibs aren't exactly my thing, I can still recognize a good one when I see one.

"Flexit" Events Sponsored by Kenro

The Aurora Flex Pen Demo at last week's 2017 Baltimore Washington International Pen Show

Aurora's US distributor Kenro Industries has been actively promoting the new 70th Anniversary pen by hosting "Flexit" events in cities around the country, including at the recent Baltimore Washington International Pen Show that I attended. (Just search the Instagram hashtag #flexitbwi.) Kenro had several of the new flex pens on display at their table for attendees to test, and they graciously allowed me to take one of them home to review (along with a bottle of their long-awaited Aurora blue-black ink). So what's the verdict?

I like this pen and this nib. And this is coming from someone who can't write with a flex nib to save his life. No, I'm serious, just watch the video of my comically bad writing sample. But, if you regularly write in cursive, or enjoy calligraphy, you'll want to check out Aurora's latest creation. The 14k nib is soft in the sense that it gives you easier and greater line variation than the various steel nibbed "flex" pens out there - not to mention a smoother writing experience - but it's not so soft that you feel like you're going to spring the nib. It's somewhat similar to the Omas "Extra-Flessible" nibs released a few years ago, but those were way too wet, felt extremely delicate to me when I tested them out, and I heard reports of them springing easily and not holding up well to everyday use. The Aurora nib feels sturdier, and it actually works fairly well as a regular writer, laying down a fine/medium-fine line when writing with light pressure and minimal flexing of the tines. It's a bit wet to use on office paper, but the Rhodia dot-grid paper handled it quite nicely.

The Aurora 88 flex nib is fitted with an ebonite feed so that the ink flow keeps up with the nib. The 88 also has a nice big ink window so you can see when you need to refill.

I'm not familiar enough with vintage flex pens to provide any intelligent commentary on how it compares to very soft "wet noodle" flex pens like those manufactured by Waterman in the 1920s and the 1930s. If that's your expectation with the Aurora Flex nib, you may be disappointed, but I will note that Dan Smith of The Nibsmith has indicated that he'll be able to grind the nib to maximize line variation, and I'd recommend that you contact him for additional information.

A Note on the Aurora 88

The Aurora 88 is a classic fountain pen. The version that I have is made from a dark green polished resin with gold trim.

The "88" is Aurora's longtime flagship pen, and one of those pieces that has sat on my list for years but for whatever reason never made it into my pen case. Even though I probably won't go in on the flex nib, there are some strikingly gorgeous models of the 88 out there, whether it be the Satin Black with Rose Gold Trim, last year's "Sole" limited edition, to this year's upcoming "Nebulosa" limited edition. I enjoy the size of the 88, it has a high-capacity piston filling system, and it's extremely comfortable to write with. You'll probably be seeing one on the blog soon!

Takeaways / Where to Buy

I probably won't be picking up a 70th Anniversary Aurora 88 with the new flex nib, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't! Supply is extremely limited, with only 188 pieces distributed worldwide in each color. The pen will cost $650, and will be available in limited quantities from Aurora dealers such as Anderson Pens, Vanness Pens, Pen Chalet, and the Nibsmith. If this is a pen that interests you, I'd act quick as soon as the color you want becomes available.

Disclaimer: As I mentioned, Kenro Industries loaned me this pen for review purposes. Other than a bottle of Aurora Blue-Black ink, I was not compensated for this review. This post does contain affiliate links.

The Pen Addict Slack Channel Was Fast - A lot of stuff has already sold out but there are still some good buys remaining!

Spring Clearance: The "For Sale" Page Is Live

March 9, 2017

So I periodically pull together a bunch of pens, inks, and paper that I don't find myself using much anymore and try to "re-home" them. Most of these are barely used, though some of them have a couple small dings and dents that are pictured on the sale page. All are priced aggressively and I want to move them, so if you see something you like, make me an offer.

To see what I currently have for sale, follow this link here. I've also added the "Sale" page to the Navigation bar. First come, first served - I can be contacted through the "Contact Me" link or via email at joe@gentlemanstationer.com.

International shipping will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and I'll be much more likely to come down off these prices if you purchase more than one item. I can probably get everything in the mail by Saturday, and hopefully these will all be in their new homes by next week!

Pen Review: Pilot Custom 912 with FA Nib

March 8, 2017

The Pilot Custom 912 is one of those fountain pens that's attractive in that distinguished "black pen with rhodium trim" kind of way, but it's main purpose is to act as the showpiece for Pilot's specialty nibs, including the stub (SU), the Waverly (WA), Posting (PO), Music, Soft Fine (SF), and the Falcon (FA) nibs. The pen featured in this review sports Pilot's semi-flex Falcon (FA) nib, which is the first that I've had the opportunity to try for an extended period of time. While I can see why many people really like this nib, it doesn't work so much for my personal handwriting style.

Note the "wings" cut out of the sides of the nib, which adds to the springiness of the nib. As with the Pilot Custom 74 and the Pilot Custom 823, Pilot adds a nice engraving to the Rhodium cap band.

Build

The Pilot Custom 912 is a sturdy, well-built pen that could easily serve as your daily driver (provided, of course, you find a nib that works for your writing style). It's on the larger side (5.5 inches unposted and 6.25 inches posted), but still fits very comfortably in the hand. The Custom 912 uses Pilot's Con-70 high capacity pump-style converter, which is the same one that comes with the Custom 74 and which I always enjoy. The barrel is made of black resin, and since the pen is a cartridge-converter filler, it's a light pen, making it suitable for longer writing sessions (again, assuming you have the appropriate nib). Rhodium plated trim and a 14k gold nib lend a classic look, if a somewhat unexciting one.

The Pilot Falcon (FA) Semi-Flex Nib

The nib is plainly intended to be the star of the show on the Custom 912. I wrote with a Pilot Metal Falcon many years ago, and wasn't blown away. For whatever reason, my print-cursive hybrid style of handwriting doesn't lend itself to the Falcon/FA nib's flex. (To be more accurate, I should say semi-flex - the FA nib is not a "flex nib" in the vintage sense, but it's more than just "springy"). As you can see below, you can coax some very nice line variation out of this nib, but I didn't find it to be the smoothest writing experience when printing, as opposed to writing cursive. This past weekend I had the opportunity to test drive Aurora's new vintage-style flex nib, which, in my opinion, seems more versatile in terms of easily switching between cursive and script. I should have a review of that nib up on the blog in the near future.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I will definitely purchase a Custom 912 at some point, but it probably won't be a model with the Pilot FA nib. This past weekend I also had the chance to write the Pilot's PO nib, a super-stiff, extra-fine Japan-only specialty nib that would probably be my first choice. (NOTE: being able to test rare and hard-to-find nibs is one of the many benefits of visiting pen shows!) That said, I know many people who enjoy writing with flex and semi-flex pens who love the Pilot FA nib and can make it do wonderful things with their handwriting.

As of 2026, we carry the Pilot Custom 912 as a regular item in our own shop. The Custom 912 comes with standard and specialty nib options, including Extra Fine, Soft Fine, Stub, Music, PO (Posting), Falcon (FA), and Waverly nibs, with offering changing depending on pricing and availability. Since this review was first published, Pilot has worked to expand their specialty nib offerings stateside, and we are happy to carry many of them in both the Custom 912 and Custom 743 sizes.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Kanilea Pen Company was in Baltimore with their full range of pens. I may have picked one up...

2017 Baltimore Washington International Pen Show Special Report

March 6, 2017

I spent my Friday and Saturday afternoons at the Baltimore Washington International Pen Show. The last Baltimore Pen Show I attended was in 2013, back when the show was still held in downtown Baltimore. It's since moved to the Westin near BWI Airport, giving the show more room to grow and also making it more convenient for people in the area to attend. I was told that this year's BWI Pen Show featured over 100 tables - around the same size as the Philadelphia show. It easily justifies a weekend trip.

Vendors in Attendance

All "the usual suspects" were there in force: Brian and Lisa Anderson of Anderson Pens, Lisa and Mike Vanness of Vanness Pens, Susan Wirth, the Franklin-Christoph team with their nib testing stations and trays of color prototypes, and many more. I had the opportunity to test out the new Aurora Flex Pen and their new blue-black ink, though sadly I missed the after-hours event sponsored by Kenro Industries, Aurora's distributor.

Diplomat Pens - Check out the Orange Aero!

A Few New Things...

If you've been following me on Instagram, you may have seen photos that I posted of several newly acquired pens, inks, and notebooks. Most of my shopping was done on Friday, since I didn't know how crowded the show would get and didn't want to miss out on some of the more limited offerings like I did in D.C. There were a few things that tempted me on Saturday (see orange Diplomat Aero below), but my "budget" hit a brick wall.

Pens and Ink I purchased on Friday in Baltimore: Ryan Krusac Legend in Cocobolo with Turquoise Inlay, Kanilea Pen Company Mauna Kea, Pilot Metropolitan/MR in Gray with Stub Nib, Clear TWSBI Eco with Stub Nib, some Robert Oster Ink Samples from Vanne… — Pens and Ink I purchased on Friday in Baltimore: Ryan Krusac Legend in Cocobolo with Turquoise Inlay, Kanilea Pen Company Mauna Kea, Pilot Metropolitan/MR in Gray with Stub Nib, Clear TWSBI Eco with Stub Nib, some Robert Oster Ink Samples from Vanness Pens, and some Sailor Inks (Chu Shu, Rikyu Cha, and Waka Uguisu) from Anderson Pens.

My Ryan Krusac Legend Pen in Cocobolo with a Turquoise Inlay and Ebonite Section. I've been eyeing one of these pens for a long time - look for a review up on the blog in the future.

My new Mauna Kea from the Kanilea Pen Company, in front of the photo on which the material is based.

I enjoyed meeting the team from Story Supply Co., and I picked up a pack of their Edition 407 and "Pencil Pusher" notebooks, which they did in partnership with CW Pencil Enterprise.

And this beauty was making the rounds. I got a chance to play with this Diplomat Aero prototype at the Vanness Pens table - hopefully we see this pen at retailers in the near future!

See you in Baltimore Next Year?

Bert Oser of Bertram's Inkwell runs a great show, and a trip to the BWI Pen Show is well worth your time if you live in the area or get the chance to travel. I'm not sure it will turn into an "every year" trip for me, since my travel budget is limited, but I always have a good time in Baltimore.

Next up on the pen show circuit: Atlanta in April!

Conklin-Mark-Twain-Crescent-Filler-Fountain-Pen

Pen Review: Conklin Mark Twain Crescent Filler

March 4, 2017

The "new Conklin" has been one of those pen brands that's flown under my radar, because the pens typically sit in that odd $50-150 price range. While I had heard good things about Conklin's nibs, the designs at the lower end of that price range didn't really appeal to me enough to get me to pull the trigger on a blind purchase, and I was similarly hesitant to spend $150 (or more) on a pen with a steel nib from an unfamiliar brand. A few weeks back, Ron at Pen Chalet asked whether I'd be interested in reviewing the Mark Twain Crescent Filler, and I have to say that I've been pleasantly surprised with both the aesthetics and overall quality.

American Heritage, Italian Design

Those familiar with vintage pens know Conklin as one of the original American fountain pen companies, which was based in Toledo, Ohio and rose to prominence with its patented "crescent-filler" mechanism around the turn of the century. The filling mechanism is an early take on the button or lever-filling fountain pen, and consists of a crescent-shaped piece of metal that you depress in order to collapse the sac. When you release the "crescent," the pen fills with ink. The crescent does double duty as a roll-stopper, and there's a plastic guard that you can rotate to lock the filling mechanism in place and prevent you from accidentally squeezing the sac and squirting ink all over the place.

Red demonstrator pens appeal to me, especially when they have a unique filling system that makes for interesting viewing.

The original Conklin Pen Company went out of business in the late 1940s, but the brand was resurrected in the 1990s and eventually sold to Yafa Pens, which owns brands like Monteverde and is the U.S. distributor for the Italian pen companies Delta and Stipula. I understand that Stipula currently manufactures the Conklin pens for Yafa. (Some new limited edition Mark Twains are being released in materials such as Ambrosia celluloid and red and black striped ebonite - materials previously used to make limited runs of the Stipula Etruria.)

My Experience with the Mark Twain

Let's be honest, the Mark Twain Crescent Filler isn't the most streamlined of pen designs, but I found it attractive and fun to use nonetheless. There's definitely a sort of steampunk aesthetic going on here, combining the antiquated crescent-filling mechanism and vintage-style Conklin clip with the modern colored acrylic used to make the demonstrator pens. The construction is solid, and I had no problem whatsoever with the filling system. Do note, however, that eventually you may have to replace the sac, though I believe these modern pens use silicone sacs which are much less prone to failure than the latex sacs used in vintage pens.

Conklin's steel stub on the Mark Twain Crescent Filler. Conklin's non-stub nibs are two-toned steel and gold plate, but the stubs are all stainless.

Where this pen really impressed me was with the nib. This pen features Conklin's steel 1.1mm stub nib, which is excellent. I experienced zero hard starts or skips, and the nib was super smooth. While I haven't tried multiple pens and can't personally vouch for consistency across the various Conklin lines, I don't think this is a one-off experience. Many people have raved to me in the past about Conklin's stubs, especially on their lower-priced pens such as the Duragraph.

Conklin Mark Twain Crescent Filler writing sample with what else? Waterman vintage-style blue black ink (or, "Mysterious Blue") as it's now called.

Takeaways/Where to Buy

Conklin now has my attention. I'm probably going to pick up one of these crescent fillers at some point in the future, because after I sent the pen back to Ron I found myself missing having it around. It may not be the most practical everyday writer for pocket carry, etc., but if you want a vintage-style pen without having to worry about tinkering with fragile materials and vintage parts, this is a good option. Pen Chalet currently has the Mark Twain Crescent Filler on sale in red, blue, and clear demonstrator models, marked down to $125 and subject to further discount with one of Ron's various coupon codes. (Last I checked, there were only a couple of these pens left at his sale price, but other models of the Crescent Filler are available).

NOTE: It's unclear whether Conklin will continue to manufacture this particular demonstrator fountain pen, as its currently on clearance at multiple retailers. Since stock may run out fast, here are a few different options if you have trouble finding the particular pen/nib combination you are looking for: Pen Boutique; Fountain Pen Hospital; Fahrney's Pens.

Disclaimer: Pen Chalet loaned me this pen for review purposes at no cost. The pen was returned to Pen Chalet following the review. This post contains affiliate links. Pricing and availability are current as of the time of publication of this review.